Lung cancer is an illness that affects a multitude of people and in fact it is the most common form of cancer in the world, with over 1.6 million new cases being recorded every year. It of course has dramatic and staggering effects on the lives of people suffering from the disease, but these effects are not all physical.
There are serious financial implications for people who have succumbed to lung cancer, as it prevents people from working and can lead to real pecuniary hardship. It is well worth knowing then, that there are government benefits that patients can claim to make their suffering a little less.
The benefits that can be claimed depending on an individual’s circumstances include:
• Statutory Sick Pay – this government benefit is usually available during the first 28 days of sickness, for people who earn more than £97 (based on current rates).
• Employment and Support Allowance – this benefit used to be known as incapacity benefit and it can be claimed after statutory sick pay has finished. To qualify for this an individual must give information about themselves and their illness, but many people have claimed that the forms that need to be filled in are difficult to understand and overly complicated, making the process harder than it needs to be.
• Disability Living Allowance – people under the age of 65 can claim Disability Living Allowance if they are unable to care for themselves and this can include those suffering with lung cancer.
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit – this is of particular interest to me as many people with lung cancer have claimed for compensation after having been exposed to asbestos at work. Anyone suffering from mesothelioma (caused by asbestos) who can prove they have been exposed to asbestos at work after 1948 or during military service, is entitled to this benefit. This can mean a lump sum from the government or a personal injury claim against a previous employer and this money can be very helpful towards any necessary care and living costs.
